ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Treatments such as antidepressants and stimulants can help.
Limbic ADD
The most common form of ADD, also known as classic ADD or hyperactive-impulsive ADD, is characterized by inattention, a lack of organizational skills, difficulty staying on task, and trouble with memory. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily angry.
add treatments for adults suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviors. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are quick to anger and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain during time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. They can become emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They tend to be unhappy and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete chores or school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't respected. They might be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They may also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
adhd treatments adults of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is often difficult to recognize. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. It is essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is usually treated using dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time, is common and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can cause inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, in school or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or being judged. Due to this, they often hide their problems from their peers. In some cases, people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They cause a pounding of the heart sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals focus.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are found. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts an examination. Additionally, he or will ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This will help enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to learn and store information and experience mood swings and suffer from severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following instructions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but are unable to focus on important tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and their parents or teachers are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In some instances, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD aren't usually advised, since they do not address the root cause of symptoms.